Seven Ghanaian tomato traders have been killed in a terrorist attack in northern Burkina Faso, Ghana’s government has confirmed.
The traders were travelling through the town of Titao on Saturday, 14 February, when their truck came under fire. Eighteen Ghanaians were caught in the assault, including drivers and traders.
Interior Minister Muntaka Mohammed‑Mubarak said the victims’ bodies were burnt beyond recognition and had begun decomposing, forcing authorities to bury them in Burkina Faso.
“The seven bodies have been burnt beyond recognition. As at yesterday, we agreed they had begun decomposing and had to be buried,” he told reporters.
He added that Ghana’s diplomatic mission had hoped to be present at the burial but the volatile security situation prevented safe travel. “So the Burkina Faso authorities told us [Ghanaians] that they would bury them at 10 a.m. today. But our women who are not really injured can go and witness and take as many pictures as possible,” he said.
According to the minister, three men sustained injuries while one woman remains in critical condition. “And the sad thing is that we lost seven of our men. Three of them got injured. One woman was critically injured, and others were not badly injured,” he said.
Ghana’s Embassy in Ouagadougou said it is liaising with Burkinabè officials to visit the attack site and confirm the identities of those affected. “Steps are being taken to establish the facts and provide the necessary support to affected individuals and their families,” the embassy said in a statement.
Burkina Faso’s military is now working to create a secure corridor to transport survivors to Ghana’s mission in Ouagadougou, after which arrangements will be made for their return home.
The government said further details will be communicated to the public.
